Without providing specifics, the report echoes statements made by the NSA that its two controversial data-collection programs helped stop attacks on US soil and abroad.

"In recent years, the intelligence gathered under them has contributed to the disruption of dozens of potential terrorist pots here in the homeland and in more than 20 countries around the world,” the documents said.

Earlier in June, Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor, revealed himself to be the source of reports by the UK's Guardian newspaper and The Washington Post about NSA programs that monitor data from companies like Facebook and Google.

The news comes as Denis McDonough, White House chief of staff, said on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday that President Barack Obama does not think the NSA's secret program violates Americans' privacy rights.